DRID-UEW Partners with CoLANGE for Research and Grant Development
A 10-member delegation from the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Development (DRID) at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) has paid a courtesy call on key stakeholders at the University’s College of Languages Education (CoLANGE) in Ajumako.
The visit, which took place on Thursday, 11th September, 2025, was to discuss strategic plans for enhancing research visibility, capacity building and grant acquisition across the university community.
The session began with Prof. Rebecca Akpanglo-Nartey, Principal of CoLANGE, affirming the College’s commitment to growth through collaborative support. She highlighted the urgent need for infrastructural improvements including a new clinic, expanded library facilities and an auditorium to support campus activities, urging for joint efforts in mobilising resources.
Prof. Rebecca Akpanglo Nartey echoed the spirit of unity and collective progress, pledging full support for the initiatives and underscoring the need for “your own voice” to propel the university to greater heights.
Prof. Enoch F. Sam, Director of DRID, underscored the importance of transparency and visibility in research and project management, stressing that showcasing past and current project successes builds donor confidence. He cited his personal experience with grant applications where donor scrutiny extended to online profiles and institutional track records. “Many a time we hide that information. We feel they should not know; we should put everything there so that people will see it,” he said, emphasising the value of proactive communication for winning grants.
Prof. Sam reaffirmed DRID’s commitment to inclusivity and capacity building across the university. He announced upcoming hands-on training programmes post-exams and encouraged active participation in surveys to tailor support programmes effectively. He also highlighted the expanded structure of DRID, with specialised units dedicated to monitoring, patent services, consultancy and capacity development, all aimed at empowering staff and students to excel in research and innovation.
Prof. Alfred Kuranchie, Deputy Director, noted that the directorate would prioritise not only academic staff but also administrative staff and postgraduate students. He explained that DRID would proactively seek grant opportunities and directly approach funders instead of passively waiting for calls.
Dr. Charity Esenam Anor of the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit at DRID-UEW, explained the unit’s role in supporting project implementers through report writing, monitoring adherence to grant agreements and facilitating timely claims processing to ensure smooth project execution.
Dr. Medina Srem Sai, from the Research Policy, Journal Standards and University Ranking Unit, elaborated on aligning research activities with the university’s strategic plan and the importance of publishing in high-impact journals to enhance the university’s visibility. She also advocated for celebrating the university’s rich cultural activities to boost its profile nationally and internationally.
Complementing these efforts, Dr. Richard Osei Agjei of the Consultancy and Patent Services Unit highlighted the opportunities for translating innovative ideas into patents and commercial products through the university’s Innovation Hub. He also discussed mapping internal consultancy expertise to connect faculty with external organisations, fostering greater engagement and income generation.
Dr. Philip Siaw Kissi, Coordinator for Capacity Building and Development, revealed plans for training programmes aimed at equipping staff and students with grant writing skills including rolling out internal grant schemes to encourage experience-building. He also proposed a quarterly magazine featuring achievements and activities across campuses to motivate and inform the university community.
Voicing concerns about engagement, Mr. Francis Kwantwi Barima, Acting College Registrar, cautioned that newsletters and magazines often reach a limited audience, especially younger members, urging innovative approaches to disseminate information effectively.
In a subsequent meeting, Prof. Akwasi Adomako, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Ghanaian Languages Education, expressed strong support for DRID’s initiatives, noting the faculty’s long-standing efforts to secure grants focused on indigenous language and ICT integration despite past setbacks. He welcomed ongoing collaboration and training opportunities to enhance the faculty’s competitiveness in grant applications.
This strategic partnership between DRID and CoLANGE signals a renewed commitment to fostering a vibrant research culture, improving infrastructure, and securing sustainable funding, ensuring the University of Education, Winneba, remains a beacon of academic excellence and innovation.
